USA vs Faulkner State/BSN vs ADN?????

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Hi. I'm new to the board and just wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge of University of South Alabama's College of Nursing or the Faulkner State Community College nursing program. I have all of my pre-reqs to get into the BSN program at USA but can't decide which program would be better. My issues are the drive time to USA and the cost. I also keep going back to 5 semesters and I've got the BSN or 5 semesters and I still just have my Associates. Drive time is about 1:15 to Mobile vs 30 minutes to Fairhope and the cost is about double the last time I checked. I've read some negative comments about USA on this board but just wanted to get any feedback that some of you may have. Due to my age (42) and family commitments, schools outside of this immediate area are not in the cards. There are 2 other options for BSN programs that I know of and that's University of Mobile and University of West Florida. Any help out there? :uhoh3:

To throw another bit of confusion into this post, I also have been accepted into a Physical Therapist Assistant program at Pensacola State College. Initially, when I went back to school this was my interest but a concern over job availability led me to the nursing direction. As you can tell, this is a confusing and frustrating time.:confused::confused:

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I wish I had some advice. I too am in a similar situation. I live about 1 and 15 minutes from USA in Mobile and I will be ready to start there or PSC in January. PSC is also about 30 minutes from me, I live over in Lillian Alabama. I have weighed the drive and the school time, along with the cost of the two programs and at this time I am leaning more toward PSC. Mainly PSC because of the drive, however it is appealing to have my BSN in the same amount of time. I wish you luck with your decisions, I know I need all the luck I can get.

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Has a new nursing graduate (I got my ADN) I would strongly suggest you just go to USA and get your BSN. Most hospitals that I know of would prefer to hire someone with a BSN over an ADN. Good luck!!

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Specializes in ICU.

If you will have your ADN in 5 semesters or your BSN in 5 semesters. you need to get your BSN. It will give you a leg up on getting hired. It will also come in handy when you get older and would rather have a "sit down" job as a nurse manager because your feet or knees are giving you trouble.

One suggestion I make is to go to the AL Board of Nursing website and see what the NCLEX pass rate is for each school. It would suck to spend 5 semesters in a program then not be able to get licensed.

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Specializes in ICU.

I graduated from South Alabama. Went to Mobile College (University of Mobile) first for ADN, then to South for BSN. If I knew then what I know now, I would have went straight to South, simply because the BSN is more marketable. Doesn't South have a lot of classes at the Fairhope campus? My daughter currently attends Faulkner, but she has had problems trying to get a straight answer from anyone there. She has been dissatisfied with some of the instructors who never return her e-mails or calls. I do have to say that I got a much better education at the Univ. of Mobile. I do like the fact that USA has a medical program, too, tho. I do see a lot of jobs for PT assistants. I would think about my age before committing to that, tho. In 10 yrs you will be in your 50's and may not be able to do that kind of work as well as you can now.

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I'm not sure if the previous replies are from local people, but I just graduated from Faulkner and I have heard MANY times from managers and staff nurses that they prefer to hire Faulkner ADN grads over USA BSN students. I'm sure USA has a fine program....just wanted to share what I've heard in the local hospitals.

Faulkner is a tough program, but you will come out with a wonderful education and marketable skills for sure. Good luck to you and God Bless!

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I have heard similar stories from other nurses about how good Faulkner's program is. I think I'm leaning toward USA because I really want to get my BSN so I can then go into the MSN program in a few years. Since it's the same amount of time for me I just really don't think it would make sense to go the ADN route. I am dreading the drive from Foley to Mobile the most!

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Specializes in ICU.
I have heard similar stories from other nurses about how good Faulkner's program is. I think I'm leaning toward USA because I really want to get my BSN so I can then go into the MSN program in a few years. Since it's the same amount of time for me I just really don't think it would make sense to go the ADN route. I am dreading the drive from Foley to Mobile the most!

I have made an astonishing discovery in my short nursing career. What I discovered is ADN educated nurses "prefer" ADN programs, BSN educated nurses "prefer" BSN programs. I have only met one nurse that said she would not recommend anybody attend the school she attended. After putting all of this together I came to the conclusion that what nurses in hospitals say about nursing programs is not really worth squat. If somebody wants to know about a nursing program research that program through the State Nursing Board.

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